Manchester United baulk at Wigan's £16m asking price for Valencia

Manchester United are ready to battle Real Madrid for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia — but are reluctant to pay the £16million asking price.

Real made a £21.5m bid last month for the Ecuador international and that offer still stands despite their ongoing interest in Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

United, however, are confident in the knowledge that Valencia, 23, wants to join them and save himself from uprooting to move to Spain.

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Tug of war: Antonio Valencia is wanted by Manchester United and Real Madrid

The one problem is that despite an agreement in principle being made
between the clubs in December, United scouts have not been wholly
impressed by Valencia's performances in the second half of the season,
as revealed in Sportsmail, and they don't believe £16m represents value
for money.

It may mean new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will have to strike a
bargain to include a makeweight coming to Wigan unless he can persuade
United to improve their offer.

Valencia's agent Diego Herrera said: ‘I cannot confirm the news that
Manchester and Madrid have made bids because I haven't spoken with
Wigan yet. But I will be in touch with them at the start of the week,
hopefully on Monday. Of course this is great news because it is the
right moment for Antonio Valencia to join a bigger club and start a new
challenge with a great team.

'He has proved himself in The Premier League with Wigan and is
definitely good enough to make the step to something bigger. They are
both great football clubs and making a decision is tough. At the end of
the day, you have to consider both offers because they are massive
clubs.'